CHP notches 1 fatality, 16 accidents over Memorial Day Weekend

An 18-year-old Roseville skateboarder was the sole casualty for the Auburn area over Memorial Day weekend, according to California Highway Patrol officials.
Officials revealed Tuesday afternoon that Justin Grich of Roseville succumbed to his injuries from a Monday evening accident.
Grich, 18, was pronounced dead at Sutter Roseville Hospital Tuesday afternoon, according to Officer Mark Williams with the Auburn California Highway Patrol.
Monday at about 6:20 p.m. Grich was hit while riding his skateboard near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard west and Amorusa Way when Choorest Bryan, 59, of Sacramento, was driving her vehicle through the area and collided with the teen.
Williams said the accident remains under investigation.
The remainder of the 16 accidents the California Highway Patrol responded to were not fatal, according to Captain Rick Ward.
Ward said the number is on par with the office’s five-year average of accidents for this time of year.
He said over a five-year average, the office made six driving under the influence arrests. This year, they made seven over the holiday weekend.
Ward added that 625 citations were issued over the weekend.
Overall this year, starting from Jan. 1 to May 25, the office has logged 519 accidents on the roadways. That number is about 17 percent lower than the five-year average of 625 accidents for the same time frame.
“We’re very pleased that the numbers are lower,” Ward said. “Even though over the years the population and number of vehicles traveling in Placer County has increased, we’re very pleased to keep that number of accidents the same as it was for a five-year average. Obviously we’d like to get that down even further.”
The Journal's Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.